Report on the Side-Event: Representation and Self-Representation of Minorities in Iran, Iraq, and Syria in Public Spaces and Discourses

Introduction

Context and Objectives

The participants at the side-event highlighted the barriers faced by minorities in terms of public representation and self-representation. These barriers are exacerbated by persistent legal, social, and cultural obstacles that limit the ability of minorities to fully participate in public institutions, media, and decision-making processes. The lack of robust platforms for minority representation further aggravates the marginalization of these communities and restricts their access to rights, resources, and recognition.

The objectives of this side-event were threefold:

1. Raise awareness of the specific forms of marginalization faced by minorities in Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
2. Facilitate the exchange of experiences among minority representatives, human rights advocates, and international stakeholders.
3. Develop policy and social reform recommendations to improve visibility, inclusion, and participation of minority communities.

Speakers’ Interventions

Ms. Viyan Sido
Ms. Viyan Sido spoke about the situation in Afrin, a region in northwestern Syria once known for its cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence of various ethnic and religious groups. She described the consequences of the 2018 Turkish military offensive, which led to the displacement of thousands of Kurdish families and the confiscation of their land and olive groves—a vital source of the local economy. She emphasized that the Kurdish language, a fundamental element of the region’s cultural identity, is now suppressed, with residents being forced to speak Turkish and Kurdish schools being closed. Ms. Sido also spoke about the construction of new mosques in areas historically inhabited by religious minorities, such as the Yazidis, and the displacement of these communities, which is seen as an attempt to transform the demographic and cultural identity of the region.

Mr. Atou Salo
Mr. Atou Salo, a representative of the Yazidi community in Iraq, expressed concerns about the severe injustices faced by the Yazidis, especially during the 2014 genocide, which drew international attention. Mr. Salo recalled that the Yazidis are both a religious and national minority, which makes them particularly vulnerable to violence and discrimination. He highlighted the multiple attacks suffered by the Yazidis throughout history and the lack of support from Kurdish and Iraqi authorities in protecting their community. Mr. Salo deplored the persistent hate speech and the inaction of Kurdish authorities in the face of attacks against Yazidis, while calling for better protection of their rights and recognition of their suffering.

Mr. Abdulrahman Heidari
Mr. Abdulrahman Heidari, representing the Arab Patriotic Movement, spoke about the struggle for self-determination of the Ahwazi Arab people in Iran. He addressed the ongoing marginalization of non-Persian nations, emphasizing that these nations do not consider themselves as “minorities” but rather as “nations” in their own right, rejecting the concept of Persian domination. Mr. Heidari highlighted the importance of Article 15 of the Iranian Constitution, which provides for the use of regional languages in the press, media, and education, but is largely not implemented. According to him, the marginalization of the Ahwazi Arabs extends beyond the suppression of their culture and language to systemic discrimination in access to employment, economic resources, and political positions. Mr. Heidari also described how Iranian authorities manipulate local media to spread biased information and reinforce negative stereotypes about Arabs, thereby limiting their representation in the public sphere.

Mr. Adel Mahmoudi
Mr. Adel Mahmoudi addressed the issue of Kurdish representation in Iran, stressing that despite constitutional provisions intended to protect their cultural and linguistic rights, the reality is quite different. Kurds are often denied the opportunity to receive an education in their native language, and initiatives to promote Kurdish culture are regularly suppressed. Article 19 of the Iranian Constitution, which states that all citizens are equal, is also largely ignored when it comes to the rights of Kurds. Mr. Mahmoudi spoke about the political marginalization of Kurds, citing arbitrary executions and imprisonments of Kurdish activists, who are often subjected to unfair trials. He noted that Kurdish porters, who cross borders for their livelihoods, are regularly shot by Iranian security forces.

Ms. Sabah Bandoui
Ms. Sabah Bandoui provided an overview of the situation of the Baluch people in Iran, who suffer from systematic oppression. She highlighted the economic challenges faced by the Baluchistan region, despite its natural wealth in oil, minerals, and other resources. The majority of the Baluch live in extreme poverty, with limited access to clean water and a high unemployment rate. Access to education is also a major challenge, with a high dropout rate, mainly due to inadequate public services and the difficulty in obtaining identity documents, which are often required for school enrollment. Ms. Bandoui also mentioned arbitrary executions, which disproportionately affect Kurds and Baluch, highlighting the discriminatory policies of Iranian authorities towards these minorities.

Ms. Roudy Ali
Ms. Roudy Ali, a Kurd from Afrin currently living in Germany, highlighted the systematic repression of minority rights in Syria, with a particular focus on the Kurdish community. She spoke about the “Olive Branch” operation conducted by the Turkish army in 2018, which marked the beginning of serious human rights violations in Afrin, a historically Kurdish region. The Kurdish language has been removed from the education system and replaced by programs in Turkish and Arabic, village and street names have been changed, and Kurdish residents have been largely displaced. Ms. Ali also denounced abuses against women and the mass destruction of olive trees, which were an essential source of livelihood for Kurdish farmers. She called on the international community to investigate these crimes and put pressure on Turkey to cease its military operations.

Ms. Awat Taeib
Ms. Awat Taeib spoke about the challenges facing the Assyrian community in Kurdistan, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom. She recalled that the Assyrian community, one of the oldest in the Middle East, has often been marginalized and forced to hide its religious identity for fear of reprisals. She mentioned Law No. 5 of 2015, which allowed for some recognition of religious freedom in Kurdistan, and also spoke about the constant threats against Assyrians, such as the destruction of temples and historical monuments that are thousands of years old. Ms. Taeib stressed the need to protect the cultural and religious heritage of the Assyrians, as well as to ensure a safe space for their community.

Mr. Mansour Seifi
Mr. Mansour Seifi discussed the situation of Azerbaijanis in Iran, highlighting the injustices and discrimination faced by this community. He explained that print and broadcast media in Iran are controlled by the state, thereby limiting the representation of the interests of non-Persian nations, including Azerbaijanis. According to Mr. Seifi, the assimilation policy implemented by the Islamic Republic aims to eradicate Azerbaijani cultural presence in public spaces by imposing Persian as the only official language. He provided specific examples, such as the changing of Turkish street names to Persian names, the destruction of historical monuments, and the suppression of Azerbaijani cultural symbols in the education system. This assimilation policy, combined with the lack of representation in media and institutions, contributes to further marginalization of the Azerbaijani community.

Recommendations

The discussions led to several important recommendations aimed at promoting minority rights in the concerned countries:

1. Strengthening Recognition of Linguistic and Cultural Rights
   It is essential to guarantee the recognition and protection of the linguistic and cultural rights of minorities in Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Speakers called for the effective implementation of constitutional articles that guarantee the use of regional languages in media, education, and public affairs.
2. Equal Access to Education and Resources
   Speakers emphasized the need to ensure equal access to education for children from minority groups. Efforts should be made to improve educational infrastructure in marginalized regions, particularly by providing schools where children can learn in their native languages. In addition, equitable resources should be allocated to reduce systemic poverty affecting communities such as the Baluch.
3. Protection of Civil and Political Rights
   To protect the civil and political rights of minorities, it is crucial to end arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and the repression of minority activists. Authorities must ensure fair and transparent trials for all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, and enable inclusive political participation.
4. Combatting Assimilation Policies and Demographic Changes
   Participants condemned the policy of forced assimilation practiced in regions such as Afrin, where local languages and identities are erased in favor of those imposed by occupying forces. They recommended ending practices aimed at altering the demographic composition of regions historically inhabited by minorities, including the forced displacement of local populations and their replacement by settlers.
5. International Community Engagement
   Speakers also stressed the importance of international community engagement to hold accountable the governments that practice discriminatory policies. They called for increased international pressure on Iran, Iraq, and Turkey to respect minority rights and cease human rights violations. Independent investigations should be conducted to document crimes against minorities and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
6. Strengthening Religious Freedom
   Religious freedom must be guaranteed for all communities, including Assyrians, Yazidis, and other religious minorities living in Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Speakers called for the protection of places of worship and historical sites, as well as the official recognition of the freedom to practice one’s religion without fear of persecution.

Conclusion
This side-event brought together important voices from various minority communities in Iran, Iraq, and Syria, creating a space for discussion and collaboration. The contributions of the speakers highlighted the need for concerted action to protect minority rights and led to concrete recommendations to promote their representation and self-representation. These recommendations will be presented at the Minorities Forum to enrich the proposals that will be made to the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2025.

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